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Why Do Cats Purr?

5 min read

Curling up with your cat as she purrs is a comfort to all pet owners. It’s a sign they’re happy, content and feeling settled on your lap, enjoying lots of fuss and attention – or is it?

 

Why do cats purr?

Cats often express their feelings by purring, in the same way that when we’re happy we smile and dogs wag their tails. Purring cats aren’t always happy cats though, and there’s lots of mystery around why they purr and how they make this sound.

Here are some possible reasons why your cat is purring:

So, we know why cats purr, but how do they actually make such a fascinating sound?

 

How do cats purr?

We’re still not exactly sure of the process that creates purring in cats. Research suggests that muscles in your cat’s throat can vibrate the vocal cords - and as your cat breathes in and out, air hits the vibrating muscles, this is most likely to be what makes the cat purring sound.

Researchers are also not sure what causes this to happen or why cats purr. It seems that signals in your cat’s brain create the whole purring movement, so scientists think that the purr is more of a muscular twitch rather than a vocal communication like humans make with our voices.

 

How does cat purring help humans?

It’s a known fact that owning cats can help to relieve stress in humans, and this may not just be because they’re cute to look at and are soft to cuddle but it may also be because of the positive effects their purrs have on us.

One study shows that some cat owners have 40% less risk of a heart attack than non-cat owners and lower blood pressure after interacting with cats and hearing their soft purrs. Most interesting however, is what’s known as ‘healing by association.’ This is the theory that cats have the ability to calm, soothe and help heal illnesses in people just by being nearby, and many people have said they can ease their migraines just by lying down with their purring cat next to them. However, further studies are needed to confirm this and it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for good medical care!

 

Interesting facts about cat purring

There is also a study that suggests that the low frequency of a cat purring causes a series of vibrations inside their body that may help to ease their breathing and heal injuries whilst acting as a form of pain relief.

Although, again, further research is required to confirm whether healing and purring are directly related and it’s important to remember that purring should never be relied on as a substitute for veterinary care.

Not all cats can purr and the soothing vibration is only found in domestic cats and some wild cats. Cats that purr can’t roar, and cats that roar can’t purr! This is because of the small bone found inside the vocal cords, which in roaring cats is a flexible ligament. This ligament can stretch which allows big cats to make a deep, roaring sound but in domestic cats, this ligament is replaced with a completely hardened bone that only allows air vibrations while exhaling and inhaling.

A purring cat can be happy, stressed, hungry or content but by looking at their behaviour and sensing their mood, you’ll often be able to work out what they might be trying to communicate to you.